Fists and Guts (aka Carry on Wise Guy) had 9 week run in 1980
taking HK $1,509,000. It was directed by Liu Chia-Yung (Lau Kar Wing)
just after some successful Gar Bo collaborations in the late seventies
with Sammo Hung and Karl Maka, including the Odd Couple and Dirty Tiger,
Crazy Frog. Both Liu Chia-Yung and Gordon Liu were later to team up again
in Warrior from Shaolin (1981) before producing the epic Shaw Brothers
work; Legendary Weapons of China (1982). In Legendary Weapons, many would
argue that Liu Chia-Yung's fight against his Liu Chia-Liang is one of
the greatest moments in Hong Kong Cinema, and certainly outshines this
weaker offering.

For Gordon Liu, this was an early foray outside the protective bubble
of Shaw Brothers, where he had achieved international acclaim 2 years
earlier with 36th Chamber of Shaolin (Shaolin Master Killer). However,
the cast was a familiar one, and explains why the chemistry between the
actors is confident and reassured. Lee Hoi San had worked notably with
Gordon Liu in 36th Chamber also with Liu Chia-Yung in Dirty Tiger, Crazy
Frog. The main cast was also graced with Lo "Five Fingers of Death"
Lieh. Lo had even enjoyed better box office takings in the States than
Bruce Lee with his early outings, and had a wealth of previous experience
with the other cast members. He had previously worked many times with
Gordon Liu before, normally in the end fight; see 36th Chamber, Dirty
Ho and Clan of the White Lotus. Lo already had already worked outside
Shaw Brothers (e.g. Born Invincible) and had established himself as one
of the great bad guys (see also Mad Monkey Kung Fu).

Lo Lieh, master of disguise!

A young Mars

(Left to Right):

Liu Chia-Yung, Lee Hoi San and Gordon Liu

PLOT:

Gordon Liu (Ah-San) is searching for some lost treasure and he promises
to cut in two good-for-nothing folks, Ah Yung and Big Pang (Liu Chia-Yung
and Lee Hoi San) if they help him find the ex-servant bad guy and the
treasure. Their adventure includes a trip to a leper colony, an Army Commander's
mansion and a secret underground booby trapped dungeon! Lo Lieh plays
the ex-servant who stole the treasure and decides to wander about in disguise
in order to mislead and confuse his pursuers. I think Ric Meyers (on the
audio commentary) is right, when he suggests this film has the most wigs
in Kung Fu Cinema!

However, the plot seems to be going nowhere in places and it is a very
'goofy' comedy style. These films only exist after the slapstick success
of Jackie Chan in the late seventies. The Liu Chia-Yung directorial touch
for comedic scenarios is present: When Gordon Liu, Yung and Lee Hoi San
are planning to rob a suspect (played by Mars - Jackie' best friend),
they show how the plan should work and then re-film it with the unintended
confusion and failure. This look at the difference between intentions
and reality adds to the light-hearted feel of the film. This also occurred
in Dirty Tiger, Crazy Frog with
the poisoner scene. However the set is imaginative, as it was filmed in
Taiwan rather than the Shaw Brothers studios and it has elements of originality.

Butterfly Knives vs Spear

As Don King would say: "The Fight at Night!"

FILM:

There are three sensational fight scenes in this film and little else
of note. The first pits Gordon Liu with his butterfly knives against a
spear fighter in a frantic but beautifully choreographed piece. It is
a shame that these Ocean Shores prints are full-screen and it does not
help this excellent sequence. The second involves Gordon Liu fighting
where neither party can make any noise as it will disturb the armed guards
outside. This fight shows innovation with both scenery and props that
can stand alongside (and possibly influenced) some of Jackie's finest
moments. The end fight against Lo Lieh is a 'no wigs barred' match as
both reveal their true identities (as a Shaolin priest and Tibetan monk
respectively. It is one of their best fights including weapons and unarmed
combat.

The chain whip sequence is particularly enjoyable and shows why Gordon
Liu has almost made that weapon his own (see also Shaolin Drunken Monk
- uncut version and Clan of the White Lotus). It also has a jab at the
training sequences of 36th Chamber when Lo Lieh and Gordon Liu have to
fight their way through a series of head-bags. Sadly both Yung and Lee
Hoi San have little chance to shine, and they have a tame fight against
Gordon Liu followed by one of the worst moments in Kung Fu history when
they take on leper kung fu!!!

DISC:

The Tai Seng disc is reasonably well displayed and is constricted by
the full-screen print from Ocean Shores. The dubbing was certainly done
by the cast of Monty Python and once you have done the informative Ric
Meyers commentary there is little else to get excited about.

OVERALL:

This is a limp film that has some classic moments but way too much lame
humour and superficial plot. If the cast were a bunch of nobodies then
I would possibly not be so damning in my verdict. But the cast is truly
mouth-watering and it is inexcusable that such legends should have their
name associated to the 75 minutes of drivel that fills this film out.
Only Gordon Liu and Lo Lieh come away with their reputations partly intact,
but Yung and Lee Hoi San were utterly forgettable and much of the blame
points at Liu Chia-Yung's inability to fully utilise his cast. It is worth
remembering that 1980 saw such vintages as the Victim, the Young Master
and the Buddhist Fist and I would have to say that I would buy those three
before thinking about adding Fists and Guts to your Kung Fu collection.